A strengthened collaboration between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Lufthansa Airlines is poised to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across Nigeria’s aviation sector, promising a cleaner and more efficient future for air travel.
This renewed commitment was highlighted at an Exclusive Discourse Event organized by Lufthansa in Lagos, where discussions centered on the mutual benefits of their joint efforts.
The NCAA Director, Air Transport Regulations, DATR, Mrs. Olayinka Babaoye-Iriobe stressed that, the regulatory framework established by the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, empowers the authority to address environmental concerns.
She harped on the significance of the NCAA’s proactive harmonization of international standards, such as the domestication of ICAO Annex 16 on Environmental Protection into national regulations.
This move, Mrs. Babaoye-Iriobe, represented by the Deputy General Manager for Commercial Agreement & Aviation Environment, Mrs. Evelyn Tanko,
explained, creates a robust framework for monitoring and reducing carbon emissions from international flights, while also tackling aircraft noise and emissions.
According to her, the synergy between the NCAA’s regulatory oversight and Lufthansa’s on-the-ground implementation of sustainable practices is expected to yield significant benefits.
Nigeria’s adoption of global best practices, facilitated by the collaboration, positions the nation to actively participate in international initiatives like the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
This not only ensures compliance but also unlocks opportunities for the Nigerian aviation industry to contribute meaningfully to global emissions reduction efforts.
Furthermore, the joint focus on developing a Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Roadmap for Nigeria holds immense potential for long-term environmental and economic advantages.
The eventual deployment of SAF will lessen the reliance on traditional fossil fuels, significantly decreasing the carbon footprint of air travel in Nigeria and potentially creating new domestic industries and job opportunities.
The collaboration also amplifies the impact of sustainability initiatives being undertaken by other key aviation agencies.
The rollout of Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) at major airports by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), coupled with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s (NAMA) implementation of Free Route Airspace (FRA) and Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), NCAA says, will be further strengthened by the aligned vision and shared expertise fostered through the NCAA-Lufthansa partnership.
These efforts will lead to more efficient airport operations and optimized air traffic management, directly translating to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions across the Nigerian airspace.
The Senior Director (Sales) for Lufthansa Sub-Sahara Africa, Mr. Rene Koinzack, affirmed the airline’s commitment through its Science-Based Target Initiatives (SBTI), which include investments in a modern, fuel-efficient fleet, optimized flight operations, and the adoption of SAF.
Ultimately, the collaborative spirit between the NCAA and Lufthansa signals a unified front towards a more sustainable aviation industry in Nigeria.
By combining regulatory frameworks with industry innovation and best practices, this partnership promises to deliver tangible environmental benefits, enhance operational efficiency, and position Nigeria as a responsible and forward-thinking player in the global aviation landscape.
